Maintain safe practices bringing cattle from BJD affected areas to Qld

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Any purchaser who is buying from affected areas interstate needs to be aware of status of the cattle, and look for a Certificate of Health as part of that transaction.

AgForce Queensland has urged producers to maintain safe practices when transporting cattle from Bovine Johne’s Disease-affected areas to Queensland.

AgForce Cattle President Bim Struss said the recent release of the national framework had caused some confusion around the management of BJD for Queensland’s graziers.

“AgForce has been part of the national BJD review process, with the new draft framework taking almost a year of consultation and evaluation of our current processes,” Mr Struss said.

“This proposed framework shifts the focus of BJD management from the current state-managed framework to the wider biosecurity practice where producers will become responsible for the management of the disease on farm.

“However, nothing will change in Queensland until we see the new biosecurity legislation, which is to be in place from July 1, 2016.

“That means any cattle coming into Queensland from BJD areas or properties need to abide by the current state-based biosecurity framework.

“Any purchaser who is buying from affected areas interstate needs to be aware of status of the cattle, and look for a Certificate of Health as part of that transaction.”

These requirements could change under the new legalisation from July 1, 2016. AgForce will work with the Government to ensure the cattle industry is aware of any changes before they are introduced.

AgForce is continuing to push for a dedicated biosecurity fund to support the industry to control diseases such as BJD.